Doctors: Giffords doing well after surgery

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is said to be doing well after her surgery to replace part of her skull with a plastic implant. Today, her doctors talked about her condition, and continued recovery.

Giffords was shot in early January during a community event in her district in Tuscon, Arizona. It was only weeks later when she was moved to TIRR Memorial Hermann for rehabilitation. Doctors have said her recovery is going well, and this is the next step for her.

Her own skull, which had been preserved, was in pieces and had been contaminated, so doctors opted for the implant. They also placed a shunt, which has permanently been placed under the skin and drains any excess fluid from around her brain into her abdomen.

The congresswoman will be in the hospital until next week, but has continued bedside rehab and will likely head back to TIRR next week.

The doctor would not comment on when she will get to leave rehab, or comment on her future ability to go back to work.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, elissa rivas

View the original article here